Swells from Hurricane Earl caused dangerous swimming conditions at North Carolina beaches last week. 

Even though Earl is no longer a hurricane, the danger for rip currents continues into this week.

What You Need To Know

  • There's a high risk for rip currents Tuesday at the Outer Banks

  • Rip currents are powerful channels of water than can pull even experienced swimmers away from shore

  • Swimming conditions should improve later this week

That is especially the case at the Outer Banks Tuesday where beachgoers should stay out of the water due to a high risk for rip currents.

Much of the rest of the coast has dropped to a moderate risk with the exception of Brunswick County's beaches, where there's just a low risk for rip currents.

Swimming conditions should improve along much of the coast over the next few days.

Rip currents are powerful channels of water that can pull even experienced swimmers away from shore.

If you're caught in a rip current, you should not panic. Lifeguards recommend swimming parallel to the shore until you break free from the current. Then swim back toward the shore at an angle.